Vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle according to the present disclosure is provided with: a travel battery in which electric energy used for vehicle travel is accumulated; a battery case in which the travel battery is stored; a front sub-frame to which a front suspension is attached; and an additional frame that is fastened to the front sub-frame and the battery case and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The additional frame is formed such that a portion between the fastening point thereof with the front sub-frame and the fastening point thereof with the battery case is formed in a linear manner.

Description

Vehicle

[0001] This technology relates to the technical field of vehicles having a driving battery for storing electrical energy used for driving.

[0002] For example, in electric vehicles configured to be able to drive wheels by the power of an electric motor, such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, a driving battery, which is a secondary battery for supplying power to the electric motor, is installed.

[0003] The driving battery is composed of a plurality of battery cells and a battery case for housing the battery cells. Since the driving battery has a large volume, it may be arranged under the vehicle body floor.

[0004] The battery case of the driving battery can achieve various effects through ingenuity. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a technology is disclosed in which the shape is devised to achieve commonality of parts and suppress an increase in manufacturing cost and assembly cost.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-003940

[0006] By the way, in a vehicle, there is a problem that vibration energy generated during driving is propagated to the floor panel and radiated into the vehicle interior.

[0007] This technology has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress the radiation of vibration energy into the vehicle interior and improve quietness by devising the structure related to the driving battery.

[0008] The vehicle according to this technology comprises a traction battery that stores electrical energy used for the vehicle's operation, a battery case that houses the traction battery, a front subframe to which the front suspension is attached, and an additional frame that is fastened to the front subframe and the battery case and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein the portion of the additional frame between the fastening point with the front subframe and the fastening point with the battery case is formed in a straight line. Vibration energy transmitted from the front suspension is transmitted to the front subframe. According to this configuration, an additional frame is provided that fastens the front subframe and the battery case. Furthermore, the connecting portion of the additional frame from the fastening point with the front subframe to the fastening point with the battery case is formed in a straight line. That is, no centroidal misalignment occurs in the connecting portion.

[0009] This technology can suppress the radiation of vibration energy into the vehicle cabin, thereby improving quietness.

[0010] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle. This is an exploded perspective view showing the section where the traction battery is housed and the parts to which the traction battery is attached. This is an exploded perspective view of the traction battery and battery case. This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the traction battery and its surroundings as seen from the front. This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the traction battery and its surroundings as seen from the vehicle width direction. This is a schematic diagram showing how vibration energy is transmitted to the battery case. This is an exploded perspective view showing the section where the traction battery is housed and the parts to which the traction battery is attached in the second embodiment. This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the traction battery and its surroundings as seen from the front in the second embodiment. This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the traction battery and its surroundings as seen from the vehicle width direction in the second embodiment. This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the fastening portion between the battery case and the additional frame according to a modified example.

[0011] <1. Vehicle Configuration> The configuration of the vehicle 1 of the first embodiment of this technology will be described with reference to Figure 1. The vehicle 1 comprises a driving battery 2, a PCU (Power Control Unit) 3, a motor 4, a connector unit 5, a control device 6, a display unit 7, and a communication unit 8.

[0012] Note that Figure 1 shows only a portion of the components of Vehicle 1, and Vehicle 1 may be equipped with a map locator, various sensors for driving, etc., as appropriate, although these are not shown.

[0013] The traction battery 2 is a high-voltage secondary battery that stores electrical energy used to power the vehicle 1. The traction battery 2 stores electrical energy used to drive the wheels, electrical energy used to operate the vehicle 1's air conditioning system, and electrical energy used to operate other equipment. Figure 1 shows the power supply from the traction battery 2 to drive the wheels and to the display unit 7, but the power supply used to operate other parts is not shown.

[0014] The PCU 3 supplies a DC voltage to the traction battery 2 for charging the traction battery 2. The PCU 3 is equipped with a DC / DC converter and the like for driving the motor 4. The PCU 3 generates an AC current to drive the motor 4 based on the power supply voltage supplied from the traction battery 2, and controls the torque of the motor 4 by controlling the AC current.

[0015] The PCU3 may also have a function to optimize energy efficiency by utilizing regenerative energy, such as by incorporating a regenerative braking function.

[0016] Motor 4 is configured as a motor generator with a power generation function, and drives the wheels based on the supplied alternating current.

[0017] The connector section 5 has a structure that allows a charging plug from a charging facility installed in each home or station to be plugged in. The connector section 5 outputs an AC voltage supplied via the plugged charging plug to the PCU 3. The PCU 3 charges the traction battery 2 by supplying a DC voltage converted by an AC / DC converter to the traction battery 2.

[0018] The control device 6 is configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory, and performs overall control of the vehicle 1. The control device 6 may be provided as a single unit, or it may be composed of multiple ECUs (Electronic Control Units). Multiple ECUs may include, for example, a battery control ECU that controls the charging of the traction battery 2, a display control ECU that controls the display of display devices (including meters, etc.) provided by the vehicle 1, an airbag control ECU, an air conditioning control ECU, a communication ECU that performs various types of communication, and so on.

[0019] The control device 6 performs various functions by executing various programs stored in memory, etc.

[0020] The display unit 7 comprehensively represents, for example, the Multi-Function Display (MFD) installed in front of the driver, and other display devices for presenting information to the driver. The display unit 7 displays information based on detection signals detected by various sensors installed in the vehicle 1. Various information such as the vehicle's total mileage, outside temperature, and instantaneous energy consumption is displayed on the display unit 7 as appropriate. In addition, the display unit 7 can display map information and extracted route information.

[0021] The communication unit 8 communicates with an external information processing device under the control of the control device 6. Through communication by the communication unit 8, the vehicle 1 can communicate with external server devices, vehicle-to-vehicle communication with other vehicles, and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication with roadside devices, etc.

[0022] <2. Vehicle Structure> The structure of the vehicle 1 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. In the following description, the direction of travel of the vehicle 1 is forward, and the front-rear direction is indicated. The width direction of the vehicle 1 is indicated as the left-right direction. The left-right direction is shown with the vehicle 1 facing forward.

[0023] Vehicle 1 comprises a floor panel 11 positioned at the occupants' feet and to which seats and the like are fixed; a front frame body 12 fastened to the front of the floor panel 11; a front subframe 13 positioned in front of the floor panel 11; and a pair of lower arms 14 attached to the left and right ends of the front subframe 13, respectively.

[0024] The floor panel 11 consists of a plate-shaped member oriented vertically positioned between a pair of side members that are spaced apart horizontally and extend in the front-to-back direction. Firewalls FW (also called toe boards), seats (not shown), and the like are attached to the floor panel 11. The floor panel 11 functions as the floor surface of the passenger compartment and the cargo compartment. The plate-shaped member in the floor panel 11 may be formed separately for the passenger compartment floor and the cargo compartment floor.

[0025] A portion of the pair of side members in the floor panel 11 is provided as a side sill 11a.

[0026] The firewall FW has a lower panel FWa, an upper panel FWb, and a firewall cross member FWc.

[0027] The lower panel FWa of the firewall FW is mounted on the upper part of the front end of the floor panel 11, facing approximately in the front-to-back direction. The upper end of the lower panel FWa is located in front of the lower end.

[0028] The upper panel FWb is a plate-shaped member that extends upward from the upper end of the lower panel FWa. The lower panel FWa and the upper panel FWb may be formed integrally as a single plate-shaped member, or they may be separate plate-shaped members connected to each other.

[0029] The firewall cross member FWc is mounted on the front of the lower panel FWa. The firewall cross member FWc is formed in a shape in which both ends of the left and right extending members are bent downwards. Both ends of the firewall cross member FWc are connected to the front end of the side sill 11a.

[0030] The firewall cross member FWc may have a hollow cross-section formed by, for example, press molding, or a solid cross-section formed by die-casting aluminum.

[0031] The front frame body 12 includes, for example, a pair of first frames 12a extending in the front-rear direction and positioned spaced apart to the left and right, and one or more second frames 12b extending in the left-right direction and connecting the first frames 12a.

[0032] The pair of first frames 12a are connected to the firewall cross member FWc of the firewall FW. Alternatively, the pair of first frames 12a may be fastened to a rear frame (not shown) located at the rear of the vehicle to form a pair of main frames extending in the front-rear direction.

[0033] The front subframe 13 is formed from a highly rigid material such as casting or sheet metal, and is located below the front frame body 12. The front subframe 13 has a pair of first members 13a that extend in the front-rear direction and are spaced apart in the left-right direction, one or more second members 13b that extend in the left-right direction and connect the pair of first members 13a, and a bumper beam 13c that is located furthest forward and extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] In addition, in vehicle 1, the bumper beam 13c may be formed separately from the front subframe 13, and the bumper beam 13c may be attached to the front subframe 13.

[0035] The lower arm 14 is formed in a Y-shape when viewed from above, for example. The outer end of the lower arm 14 in the vehicle width direction is rotatable approximately vertically, and the central end in the vehicle width direction is attached to the front subframe 13. The axis of rotation of the lower arm 14 is an axis that extends in the front-rear direction.

[0036] Each lower arm 14 has a front suspension attached thereto via a bush or the like not shown. The vertical vibrations caused by the unevenness of the road surface are mainly absorbed by the front suspension and thus are difficult to be transmitted to the vehicle body frame. However, the vibration energy transmitted from the front suspension is transmitted to the front sub-frame 13 via the lower arm 14.

[0037] The motor 4 is attached to the first member 13a and the second member 13b of the front sub-frame 13 via a bush or the like not shown. Note that the motor 4 attached to the front sub-frame 13 may be one of the two motors attached separately in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1.

[0038] The vibration energy generated in the motor 4 is transmitted to the front sub-frame 13 via a bush or the like.

[0039] The front frame body 12 and the front sub-frame 13 are made to have higher rigidity than the floor panel 11 in terms of material, structure, etc.

[0040] The vehicle 1 further includes a battery case 15 disposed at the lower part of the floor panel 11 and having the traveling battery 2 disposed therein, and an additional frame 16 for fastening the front sub-frame 13.

[0041] First, regarding the battery case 15, an exploded perspective view is shown in FIG. 3.

[0042] The battery case 15 has a battery frame 17, a lower case 18, and a cover panel 19.

[0043] The battery frame 17 is formed in a frame shape penetrating in the front and rear directions and has a closed cross-section that is hollow.

[0044] The battery frame 17 has a front frame 17a extending in the left-right direction and positioned forward, a rear frame 17b extending in the left-right direction and disposed rearward, and a pair of side frames 17c, 17c extending in the front-rear direction and spaced apart left and right.

[0045] The lower case 18 is formed in a box shape that is open upward by a bottom surface portion 18a and four side surface portions 18b. A flange that protrudes outward is formed at the upper end of the side surface portion 18b. The lower case 18 is attached to the lower surface of the battery frame 17 such that the flange formed at the upper end of the side surface portion 18b closes the lower opening of the battery frame 17.

[0046] The cover panel 19 is formed in a plate shape facing the vertical direction and is attached to the battery frame 17 so as to close the upper opening formed by the battery frame 17 and the lower case 18.

[0047] In the internal space formed by the battery frame 17, the lower case 18, and the cover panel 19, one or a plurality of battery cells 20 included in the driving battery 2 are arranged as will be described later.

[0048] The battery frame 17 is relatively strengthened compared to the lower case 18 and the cover panel 19, thereby protecting the battery cell 20 from a strong force applied from the side to the battery case 15.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the floor panel 11, the battery case 15, and the additional frame 16 when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1.

[0050] The floor panel 11 is formed with a lower convex portion 11b that protrudes downward from both ends in the vehicle width direction, thereby forming an arrangement recess 11c that is open downward. The battery case 15 is arranged in the arrangement recess 11c.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower case 18 is formed with a plurality of attachment protrusions 18c that extend laterally in each of the left-right directions and are plate-shaped facing the vertical direction, and are spaced apart in the front-rear direction.

[0052] The attachment protrusion 18c is positioned at substantially the same height as the bottom surface portion 18a of the lower case 18, and an insertion hole 18d that penetrates in the vertical direction through which a bolt is inserted is formed. Further, a screw hole 11d that opens downward at substantially the same position as the insertion hole 18d in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is formed in the lower convex portion 11b.

[0053] The battery case 15 is attached to the floor panel 11 from below by inserting a bolt through an insertion hole 18d of a mounting projection 18c provided on the lower case 18, and then screwing the tip of the bolt into a screw hole 11d formed in a recess 11c of the floor panel 11.

[0054] The fastening of the floor panel 11, battery case 15, and additional frame 16 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0055] Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the floor panel 11, battery case 15, and additional frame 16 as seen from the left-right direction of the vehicle 1.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, the additional frame 16 is a sheet metal member extending in the front-rear direction, with a hat-shaped cross-section that is open upwards and in the front-rear. Note that the shape and material of the additional frame 16 are merely examples; it can be made of a closed-section structure or a solid metal such as aluminum, and can be produced by aluminum die casting or aluminum extrusion molding.

[0057] The additional frame 16 has flanges formed at both ends in the left-right direction, with a first fastening point 16a at the front end that is bolted to the front subframe 13, a second fastening point 16b between the front and rear ends that is bolted to the front frame 17a of the battery frame 17, and a third fastening point 16c at the rear end that is bolted to the rear frame 17b of the battery frame 17.

[0058] Furthermore, the additional frame 16 has multiple fourth fastening points 16d, which are bolted to the bottom surface 18a of the lower case 18 of the battery case 15, located between the second fastening point 16b and the third fastening point 16c.

[0059] More specifically, the additional frame 16 is bolted to the front subframe 13 located at the top at the first fastening point 16a.

[0060] Furthermore, the additional frame 16 is bolted at the second fastening point 16b to the front flange of the lower case 18 located at the top, the front frame 17a of the battery frame 17, and the front end of the cover panel 19.

[0061] Furthermore, at the third fastening point 16c, the additional frame 16 is bolted to the rear flange of the lower case 18 located at the top, the rear frame 17b of the battery frame 17, and the rear end of the cover panel 19.

[0062] Furthermore, the additional frame 16 is bolted to the bottom surface 18a of the lower case 18 at the fourth fastening point 16d.

[0063] The rigidity of the additional frame 16 is said to be closer to that of the battery frame 17 of the battery case 15 than to that of the floor panel 11, the lower case 18 of the battery case 15, or the cover panel 19 of the battery case 15.

[0064] As a result, vibration energy transmitted from the lower arm 14 and motor 4 is efficiently transmitted to the battery frame 17 via the additional frame 16.

[0065] Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, vibration energy from the road surface that is transmitted from the front suspension is efficiently radiated and dissipated in the battery case 15 and the battery cells 20 located inside it.

[0066] Furthermore, in vehicle 1, since the motor 4 is attached to the front subframe 13, as shown in Figure 6, vibration energy transmitted from the motor 4 to the front subframe 13 is also transmitted to the battery case 15 and the battery cells 20 located inside it via the additional frame 16.

[0067] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the bottom surface 18a has a recessed area 18e that protrudes downward in the area where the battery cell 20 is attached. The fourth fastening point 16d is located on the bottom surface 18a of the lower case 18, directly below the area where the battery cell 20 of the traction battery 2 is attached, that is, directly below the recessed area 18e.

[0068] The bottom surface 18a of the lower case 18 has different rigidity in the area where the battery cells 20 are attached and in the area where they are not. Specifically, the bottom surface 18a has higher rigidity in the area where the battery cells 20 are attached than in the area where the battery cells 20 are not attached.

[0069] The fourth fastening point 16d is provided directly below the portion of the bottom surface 18a to which the battery cells 20 are attached, which has relatively high rigidity. This allows vibration energy transmitted to the additional frame 16 to be efficiently transmitted to the bottom surface 18a. As a result, vibration energy is more effectively dissipated in the battery case 15 and the driving battery 2.

[0070] <3. Second Embodiment> The vehicle 1A of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the attached diagram. Note that for vehicle 1A, components similar to those of vehicle 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment and their descriptions are omitted.

[0071] Figure 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the battery case 15A and its surrounding structure, which house the traction battery 2 of vehicle 1A, and Figures 8 and 9 show vertical cross-sectional views. Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the floor panel 11, battery case 15A, and additional frame 16 as viewed from the front-rear direction of vehicle 1A. Figure 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the floor panel 11, battery case 15A, and additional frame 16 as viewed from the left-right direction of vehicle 1A.

[0072] The floor panel 11 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

[0073] The battery case 15A comprises a battery frame 17A, a lower case 18, and a cover panel 19. The lower case 18 and the cover panel 19 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

[0074] The battery frame 17A comprises a front frame 17a, a rear frame 17b, and a pair of side frames 17Ac, 17Ac located spaced apart on the left and right sides.

[0075] The side frame 17Ac is formed such that its rear end is connected to the side end of the rear frame 17b, and its front end extends forward of the front frame 17a. The portion of the side frame 17Ac that extends forward of the front frame 17a is referred to as the extended portion 21.

[0076] The extended portion 21 of the side frame 17Ac is formed to be displaced in a direction that moves closer to the left-right center of the battery case 15A as it extends forward. That is, the tip portion 22 of the extended portion 21 is bent toward the left-right center.

[0077] The tip 22 of the extended portion 21 extends in a direction approximately to the left and right, and is located approximately above the first fastening point 16a of the additional frame 16.

[0078] The tip portion 22 of the side frame 17Ac is bolted to the front subframe 13 at approximately the same position as the first fastening point 16a in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0079] For example, the tip 22 of the side frame 17Ac and the first fastening point 16a of the additional frame 16 may each be independently fastened to only the front subframe 13. Alternatively, the tip 22 of the side frame 17Ac, the first fastening point 16a of the additional frame 16, and the front subframe 13 may be bolted together.

[0080] According to this embodiment, the front subframe 13 and the battery case 15A are fastened together via the additional frame 16 and also by the side frame 17Ac.

[0081] As a result, vibration energy that cannot be fully absorbed by the front suspension and is transmitted to the front subframe 13 via the lower arm 14 is efficiently transmitted to the battery case 15A via the additional frame 16 and side frame 17Ac.

[0082] As a result, more vibration energy is dissipated in the battery case 15A and the traction battery 2.

[0083] In each figure, the vertical arrangement of the parts located at the first fastening point 16a is, from top to bottom, the tip 22 of the extended portion 21 of the battery frame 17A, the front subframe 13, and the additional frame 16, but this is not limited to this. For example, the vertical arrangement of the parts located at the first fastening point 16a may be, from top to bottom, the front subframe 13, the additional frame 16, and the tip 22, or it may be in any other order.

[0084] <4. Modified Examples> Here, we will describe modified examples relating to the fastening of the additional frame 16 and the front subframe 13.

[0085] In the example described above, the first fastening point 16a provided at the tip of the additional frame 16 is located in front of the front end of the battery case 15, but this is not the only example.

[0086] For example, as shown in Figure 10, the first fastening point 16a of the additional frame 16 may coincide with the rear end of the front subframe 13, the front end of the lower case 18, the front frame 17a of the battery frame 17, and the front end of the cover panel 19 in the front-rear direction.

[0087] The additional frame 16 is bolted to the front subframe 13 at the first fastening point 16a, and is also bolted to the lower case 18, the front frame 17a, the cover panel 19, and the floor panel 11.

[0088] This allows the length of the additional frame 16 to be shortened, making it easier to manufacture the additional frame 16. In addition, by consolidating multiple bolt fastenings, the number of bolts, nuts, and other parts used for bolt fastening can be reduced, and the assembly man-hours can be reduced.

[0089] <5. Summary> The vehicle 1 (1A) of this technology includes a driving battery 2 that stores electrical energy used for driving the vehicle 1 (1A), a battery case 15 (15A) that houses the driving battery 2, a front subframe 13 to which the front suspension is attached, and an additional frame 16 that is fastened to the front subframe 13 and the battery case 15 (15A) and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The additional frame 16 is formed in a straight line between the fastening point with the front subframe 13 (first fastening point 16a) and the fastening points with the battery case 15 (15A) (second fastening point 16b, third fastening point 16c, fourth fastening point 16d). Vibration energy transmitted from the front suspension is transmitted to the front subframe 13. According to this configuration, the vehicle includes an additional frame 16 that fastens the front subframe 13 and the battery case 15 (15A). Furthermore, the connection portion of the additional frame 16 from the fastening point with the front subframe 13 (first fastening point 16a) to the fastening points with the battery case 15 (15A) (second fastening point 16b, third fastening point 16c, fourth fastening point 16d) is formed in a straight line. That is, no centroidal misalignment occurs in this connection portion. As a result, vibration energy from the front subframe 13 is not reflected forward but is efficiently transmitted to the battery case 15 (15A) via the additional frame 16. This vibration energy is then transmitted to the battery case 15 (15A) and the traction battery 2 located inside it, where it is efficiently dissipated. Consequently, the amount of vibration energy transmitted to the floor panel 11 is reduced, suppressing the radiation of noise into the passenger compartment and improving passenger comfort. In particular, it is possible to efficiently prevent the radiation of mid-frequency sounds into the passenger compartment, which was previously difficult to address. Moreover, the provision of the additional frame 16 provides stronger protection for the traction battery 2 against collisions from the front of the vehicle.

[0090] In vehicle 1 (1A), the battery case 15 (15A) may include a frame-shaped battery frame 17 (17A), a lower case 18 that closes the lower opening of the battery frame 17 (17A), and a cover panel 19 that closes the upper opening of the battery frame 17 (17A). The fastening point (second fastening point 16b) between the additional frame 16 and the battery case 15 (15A) may be provided in the portion that fastens the additional frame 16 and the battery frame 17 (17A). The additional frame 16 has high rigidity in order to transmit vibration energy with high efficiency. The battery case 15 (15A) may have high rigidity, for example, by employing a hollow structure for the battery frame 17 (17A). When the highly rigid additional frame 16 is fastened to the highly rigid battery frame 17 (17A), much of the vibration energy transmitted to the additional frame 16 is transmitted to the battery frame 17 (17A). Therefore, much of the vibration energy transmitted from the front suspension can be transmitted to the battery case 15 (15A), and can be efficiently consumed in the battery case 15 (15A) and the traction battery 2 inside it. It is preferable that the additional frame 16 and the battery frame 17 (17A) be fastened using highly rigid bolts. Furthermore, the straight portion of the additional frame 16 includes at least the portion between the fastening point with the front subframe 13 (first fastening point 16a) and the fastening point of the battery case 15 (15A) to the battery frame 17 (17A) (second fastening point 16b). Moreover, since the additional frame 16 is formed in a straight line overall, the manufacturing process and installation work are simplified, reducing labor costs and other expenses. It is also preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the additional frame 16 be hat-shaped. This allows the additional frame 16 to have increased rigidity without increasing its weight.

[0091] In vehicle 1A, the battery frame 17A has a front frame 17a and a rear frame 17b extending in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction), and a pair of side frames 17Ac extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) and spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. Each side frame 17Ac has an extended portion 21 that extends further forward than the front frame 17a, and the extended portion 21 may be fastened to the front subframe 13. That is, the battery frame 17A and the front subframe 13 are connected by an additional frame 16, and the side frames 17Ac are directly fastened to the front subframe 13. This allows vibration energy transmitted from the front suspension to be transmitted to the battery case 15A more efficiently, and the radiation of noise into the passenger compartment can be further suppressed.

[0092] In vehicle 1 (1A), the traction battery 2 has a plurality of battery cells 20, and the additional frame 16 is fastened to the lower case 18, and the fastening point between the additional frame 16 and the lower case 18 (fourth fastening point 16d) may be located below the battery cells 20. That is, the additional frame 16 is fastened not only to the battery frame 17 (17A) in the battery case 15 (15A) but also to the lower case 18. Furthermore, the additional frame 16 is fastened to the highly rigid portion of the bottom surface 18a of the lower case 18 to which the battery cells 20 are attached. As a result, vibration energy from the additional frame 16 is easily transmitted to the battery case 15 (15A) and easily dissipated in and within the battery case 15 (15A).

[0093] Vehicle 1 (1A) may be equipped with a drive motor (motor 4) driven by a drive battery 2 and fastened to the front subframe 13. As a result, vibrations generated by the motor 4 are also transmitted to the battery case 15 (15A) via the front subframe 13 and the additional frame 16. Therefore, the radiation of noise into the passenger compartment during driving can be reduced, and the comfort of the occupants can be improved.

[0094] Furthermore, the various examples mentioned above can be combined as appropriate.

[0095] 1. 1A Vehicle 2 Driving battery 4 Motor (driving motor) 13 Front subframe 15. 15A Battery case 16 Additional frame 16a First fastening point (fastening point) 16b Second fastening point (fastening point) 16c Third fastening point (fastening point) 16d Fourth fastening point (fastening point) 17. 17A Battery frame 17a Front frame 17b Rear frame 17Ac Side frame 18 Lower case 19 Cover panel 20 Battery cell 21 Extension part

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: a traction battery for storing electrical energy used to drive the vehicle; a battery case for housing the traction battery; a front subframe to which a front suspension is attached; and an additional frame fastened to the front subframe and the battery case and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein the portion of the additional frame between the fastening point with the front subframe and the fastening point with the battery case is formed in a straight line.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery case comprises a battery frame formed in the shape of a frame, a lower case that closes the lower opening of the battery frame, and a cover panel that closes the upper opening of the battery frame, and the fastening point between the additional frame and the battery case is provided in the portion that fastens the additional frame and the battery frame.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the battery frame comprises a front frame and a rear frame extending in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of side frames extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, each of the side frames having an extended portion extending further forward than the front frame, and the extended portion being fastened to the front subframe.

4. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the traction battery has a plurality of battery cells, the additional frame is fastened to the lower case, and the fastening point between the additional frame and the lower case is located below the battery cells.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a drive motor driven by the drive battery and fastened to the front subframe.

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